Firestorm: Recompense

By Glen E. Derickson

Firestorm is a reminder that the passing of each day brings the world closer to the end-times prophesied in the Holy Bible. The scriptures included tells us there will be signs and that we are to watch and be ready. Although this book is fiction, if you read the introduction and epilogue, you will probably pick up on the fact the author suspects this story, or something similar, could end up as fact. The book emphasizes that God is in control and God makes the rules and the Day of the Lord is coming. If you read this book, if and when world events start going south, you may recognize it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 11, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973613473

Glen E. Derickson

He sought adventure, travel, and a wide variety of occupations, including climbing poles for REA, 21 years in the military (Air Force and Army National Guard), 2 years in Egypt (Egyptian Airlines), Technical Writer at NASA, Senior Foreman in Chemical plant, etc. Visited Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Jerusalem, Libya, and several other countries.

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Copyright © 2018 Glen E. Derickson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-1346-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-1347-3 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 01/10/2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

I am a professing Christian. I am not a bible scholar. However, I believe I do have a significant understanding of much of what the bible teaches.

I suspect the end times spoken of in the bible, is soon upon us and Jesus Christ is returning to rule the world for a thousand years.

God’s wrath is coming upon the world. The matter is not if, but when. Signs indicate the coming is close if not imminent. God has somewhat against the peoples of the earth who have rejected and reviled Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.

If the bible is true, and I know it is, unimaginable catastrophe shall come upon the earth between now and then. Ten, twenty, thirty, forty or more years from now? Only God knows. Proverbs 27:1 states: Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

Why am I writing this story? If I were to see an unaware person standing on a railroad track with a train coming, I would be compelled to warn them.

People must get their heart right with God or they are going to hell.

A judgment of God happened at the time of the flood. A judgment of God shall happen again.

Take heed folks. Time is short.

As American Christians, I think a lot of us believe that we are especially protected by God and many believe that regardless of what happens in the future, God will save us and protect us from physical duress, persecution, starvation, etc. Many believe that Jesus Christ will come in the clouds and take all Christians out of the world before really bad times come. (The Rapture).

We pride ourselves in being a special nation and as a people should receive a special dispensation of protection and privilege from God. I do not believe the United States of America will be spared a harsh judgment. We sinned away our day of grace.

Yes, America WAS a great nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles. God has blessed us greatly. However, each generation and each time period is accountable for their own actions.

When prayer was taken out of the schools in the 1950’s, it was a deliberate movement away from Christianity, Judeo-Christian morals and beliefs, the constitution, laws, and societal civility. It began the destruction of the very fabric of the nation. The movement away from Christian beliefs and principles has accelerated since then.

And God said in Romans 1:28, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

This is where we are today. It is probably too late for true repentance.

From the beginning, God established the family as the basic building block of society. The anti-God, anti-Christian folks who promote Liberalism, Secularism, and anti-Americanism have made the family, the sanctity of marriage, and sexual purity as their number one target for destruction. (kinda like in the days of Noah?) They have changed terminology to make everything wrong sound right. Their political correctness police work night and day to sell their poison.

A boy and a girl moving in together used to be called shacking up. It was frowned upon by society. A child born out of wedlock was looked down upon by society. Since prayer was taken out of school, these practices have increased manifold.

Woman’s choice of having an abortion, was, and is, the murder of a child. The murder of children in the womb should torture our very souls!

There are many signs that God is moving the world toward the end time and the end of this age. A spiritual battle rages between God and Satan for the hearts, minds and souls of people. WE know that God is victorious in the end but there is a countless number of victims who end up in hell who could have been saved.

God offers an eternity in heaven. Satan offers people the opportunity to be their own god and do their own thing. However, their reward is hell. Where will you spend eternity?

This same battle was fought before the flood. The end result? Eight people were saved and millions, or billions, were drowned. They were warned. They did not believe. They died.

Trying to understand what is taking place in a worldly/spiritual realm, we need to take a look at the makeup of a person. Each person is a descendent of Adam whom God created from the dust of the earth. Of course, God made Eve from Adam and thus gave Adam a wife.

Each of us has an earthly body which some day, if we die, will return to dust. Each of us has a spirit given to us by God. When the person dies and returns to dust, the spirit returns to God who gave it.

The spirit of a person is the critical element in our makeup. There is the unregenerate spirit we are given at conception. There is the regenerated spirit we possess after being born again by accepting Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord. There is the lost, unregenerate spirit that resided in a person who died without accepting Jesus Christ as savior.

The New Testament teaches that during the time Christ walked the earth unclean spirits were numerous. Our dictionaries refer to them as demons. From watching news on TV and seeing the hatred spewed forth by anti-God, anti-Christian, anti-American politicians and others, I believe I can spot many who I believe are demon possessed! (I won’t name any names).

What about all the other religions? What about the Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witness, Seventh Day Adventists, etc?

Bottom line, if they haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they are doomed to hell. The bible is very clear on that. Whether people think God is fair, unfair, or whatever, God makes the rules.

We know the rapture is coming! Probably sooner than later! We know that Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world is coming back as the Lion of Judah and will rule the world with a rod of iron the millennium! Where do you think we are in all that? Jesus told us to watch for signs. I keep watching for signs. I believe I’m seeing signs.

A lot of Christians believe that the bride of Christ, the church, will be raptured and will be taken out of the world before the trouble starts. I don’t believe it. I believe the trouble has already started. I believe the first seal has been opened and the rider of the white horse is riding. I believe the second seal could be opened at any time.

Spiritual discernment comes from God. The vast majority of the people in this nation and in the world lack spiritual discernment. The vast majority of our national leaders and world leaders lack spiritual discernment. Without this discernment, our nation and the world is on the verge of being blindsided by Almighty God!

Surely, man has the potential of wreaking a considerable amount of havoc among ourselves. However, since I profess to be a Christian, I believe what the bible teaches and that God IS in control. He will carry out His divine plan in bringing the world to and through the spilling out of God’s terrible wrath during The Day of the Lord.

God does not need man’s help but will undoubtedly manipulate humans and nations in the process of accomplishing His will as He has done in history past.

Not being a bible scholar, I claim literary license if you believe I am straying from strict scriptural interpretations. I encourage you to study the bible and works of scholars if you seek more accurate biblical information on the subject.

In studying the bible, one thing I have noted. When God sets an event in motion, it does not stop until completed. Examples: The flood, Exodus from Egypt, Coming of Jesus Christ, Establishment of the Church, etc. I believe end times are in motion.

Isaiah 14:9 states: Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: …

Although this is a work of fiction, I truly believe horrendous events, similar but worse than is depicted here, is coming to this world in the not too distant future. I believe that billions will die in a cataclysmic series of events which will devastate this planet and the peoples on it.

I also believe that, by far, most of those who die will go to hell and reside there through eternity.

Mankind was created with a free will. Each of us is given a choice between heaven and hell. Most will choose hell. It is as simple as that. Any argument against that is as futile as trying to count the number of angels who can stand on the head of a pin.

The purpose of this book is to provoke thought about potential serious events coming to the world affecting your lives, probably very soon. The story includes the fictional Bailey family who attempts to cope with and survive unfolding events. Without being specific, I’m placing the fictional time frame sometime between 2020 and 2040.

CHAPTER I

NIGHTMARES

Middle aged John and Ellen Bailey went to bed in their suburban home with no more worries on their minds than the average American family. This was about to change as God began working in the heart and mind of John, urging him to prepare for that which was to come.

The gigantic backfire bomber flew at tree top level, pushed hard against the sound barrier, jinked from side to side, jerked and shuddered from turbulent vapor clouds building in front of the wings. John, standing in the midst of bursting bombs and fire, continued shooting until the plane roared just above his head and then zoomed back into the sky. John screamed and screamed and screamed again, shattering the calm and quiet of his home at 3:00 a.m. He threshed in the dark like a person possessed.

Ellen, waking in terror from a deep sleep, not realizing for some moments the source of the soul rending, unearthly screeches, blended her screams with his until she realized they were coming from him. Ellen groped wildly for the bed lamp, almost knocking it off the night stand. She turned on the light and saw John sitting upright in bed, staring sightlessly, his eyes protruding.

Ellen finally regained control of her voice. John! she cried, grabbing his arm and shaking him. John! John! Wake up! Honey! What’s wrong? She sobbed, continuing to shake him.

John screamed again but less convincing, his senses dragged back to reality by Ellen’s voice and her hand on his arm. Finally, he awoke enough to realize where he was. He shook uncontrollably, his face ashen. Although the night air was only slightly cool, he pulled the sheet up to quell the deathly chill that mingled large bumps with the profusion of black hair on his chest.

John continued shuddering, his speech almost incoherent, What a horrible, horrible nightmare! I’ve never had one this bad before. It was so real I can’t shake it from my mind. His eyes darted wildly about the room; his mind continued having flashbacks.

Light glinted from the liberal sprinkling of gray in John’s dark, brown hair. Although forty-three, he was a virile, handsome man who carried his six foot, 160 pound frame lightly, normally appearing at least ten years younger.

Ellen partially regained her composure and embraced him to get him to settle down; the acrid odor of fear-induced sweat assailed her nostrils. She reached for her robe and stepped out of bed. Lie back down and rest. I’ll fix some hot tea and then you can tell me what happened.

John, finally coming back to reality, followed Ellen with his eyes as she walked lightly through the bedroom door and into the hall. In his mind’s eye, he saw the same slim and trim five foot-two girl he had married twenty-four years ago and could detect only a slight hint of thickness through her waist to account for the bearing of four sons. Although deeply troubled by the nightmare, the sight stirred his intense and abiding love for Ellen.

After she left the room, John sat on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands, still trembling. What does it mean? Why have I had this terrible dream?

Ellen returned with the tea and noticed that although John’s agitation had subsided, his hands were still shaking so badly the cup and saucer rattled; he held them with both hands. Ellen walked over to the bed, sat down, and placed her arms about him. Honey, tell me about it.

I’m sorry Ellen, I can’t. Not now. It was horrible. It probably relates to my war experiences. John shivered. You go back to bed; I’m going to the study and read awhile and see if I can settle down enough to get sleepy again.

Ellen wanted to remain with John and offer comfort. However, through years of experience she knew there were times he wished to be alone; she reluctantly went back to bed.

John went to the study, eased his body into an overstuffed chair and shuddered again, as he recalled the nightmare, including the realistic dream of a fiery hell engulfing him and multitudes of people. His previous bad dreams usually resulted from actual memories of incoming artillery rounds or supersonic planes at tree top level, strafing and bombing, but this dream especially disturbed him since it didn’t relate to any actual event.

Peace and safety, he thought. One of our men ran, screaming and shouting those words over and over in torment. I’m sure I’ve heard that expression used before.

Seems to me that’s a biblical passage, John reflected, removing his Bible from the shelf and thumbing through the concordance. Oh, here it is! 1Thessalonians 5:3. John began reading the passage aloud. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

John sat trance-like, his face wearing a puzzled frown, as he pondered the passage. With head in hands he wondered; Why have I dreamed such a dream?

When day finally came, John went to the bedroom and woke Ellen. Six o’clock dear. He walked on down the hall and knocked on the door to Mark’s room. Mark, time to get up. John turned to the door on the opposite side and knocked again. Tim, time to get up. Shortly, the house teemed with activity while John shaved, Ellen cooked breakfast and the boys dressed.

Soon, the door to Mark’s room opened and the handsome teenager appeared. Then he strolled down the hall and took his place at the table. Although he had become seventeen on February 10, his frame, a fraction of an inch short of six feet, supported a solid 160 pounds. His build resembled that of his father; his light hair, light complexion and features were undoubtedly bequeathed by his mother.

Mark’s aura of gentleness caused some people to ignore his physique and more than one aspiring bully found out to his sorrow that looks could be deceiving. Mark carefully avoided trouble but quickly dispatched troublemakers who insisted on testing his prowess. He played football, basketball, volleyball, and any other sports he could work in on his perpetually full schedule. Surprisingly, even with all the athletic events, his scholastic standing remained high. He ranked fifth in the senior class at Breton High. Although extremely shy, he attracted girls, and vice versa.

Ellen picked up a small, leather-covered mallet from the top of the refrigerator and then struck the brass Japanese gong four times. After the muted musical tone subsided, she announced, Tim, Mark, John, breakfast is ready.

John walked over to the head of the table, pulled out the chair and sat down. Ellen sat opposite John with Mark and Tim at the sides. As if by one accord, the four bowed their heads and John said grace. Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the food, for good health, and for all Thy blessings. Amen.

For a few moments, only the clinking of silverware against china, and china against china sounded while the Bailey family ate breakfast.

John picked at his food in preoccupied silence; his mind insistently returned to the nightmare.

Ellen cast an occasional worried look at him and wondered, for she intuitively sensed that something of major portent foreshadowed their future. The unsettling jangle of raw nerves throughout her body left her feeling frustrated and helpless.

Pass the butter Tim, Mark said, breaking the silence. Tim rose slightly from his seat, picked up the butter and passed it across to Mark.

Thank you.

Tim, when compared to Mark, produced quite a contrast. At fifteen, Tim was plump and stocky, standing five-foot four-inches tall, and weighing 140 pounds. His chubby, pleasant face gave him a cheerful, roly-poly appearance. He also loved sports, as long as he sat in the bleachers, in front of the television, or at one end of a chess board. Tim wasn’t necessarily lazy; he could see the games much better from that viewpoint.

Tim, the most tolerant and patient member of the Bailey family, saw goodness in everybody and didn’t have any enemies. In addition to his sincere concern for people, stray animals, including cats, dogs, and birds, received his bountiful and loving attention. Scholastically, Tim wasn’t doing well at all for his roving mind flitted from thought to thought, never staying in one place long enough for anything to sink in. John and Ellen sometimes became exasperated because of his bad study habits but, after each lecture session, they could only fall back on the one hope-that the Good Lord would help him turn out okay. Even in troublous times, a short visit with Tim somehow made a person’s problems fade into the background and disappear.

After breakfast, John noticed Ellen’s troubled, faraway expression and deduced their other sons were occupying her mind. He cast a compassionate look and said, Ellen, call Bob and Jesse today and find out how they’re doing.

Ellen looked up with a start. Oh, I believe I will.

Time to go to work. John arose from the table. Bye dear, have a good day. He stooped and kissed her.

Good-bye hon. Be careful.

Bye Dad, Tim added.

John went through the kitchen and across the yard. Ellen got up from the table, started clearing away the dishes, and heard the garage door open. John started the car, backed out into the graveled turnabout between two oaks, shifted gears, and drove slowly down the drive underneath a canopy of trees.

John looked about him and felt a deep contentment. They had been fortunate ten years earlier when this property, which consisted of five acres, with a nice house nestled among several large shade trees, became available and they bought it. The drive led from the house and down to a lane that changed into a graveled road. Two miles beyond, the graveled road connected to a blacktop highway that proceeded on toward civilization, the small city of Breton, Kentucky, which was ten miles to the south.

Breton, a new city with a population of ten thousand, sprang up almost overnight following the Greater Lexington industrialization. The city provided homes for many of the people who manned the machines in Lexington industries. A bedroom community, it contained all the supporting department stores, supermarkets, and services expected in a city of its size. A commuter airport gave them quick access to the rest of the world and Breton had a fine restaurant which attracted large crowds from all over Kentucky.

John drove on toward Breton and work, his thoughts turning to his oldest son Robert, or Bob, who became twenty-three last November. A year ago, Bob married Ruth, a beautiful, blue-eyed, winsome girl of twenty whom he met at Breton High six years ago during his Junior year, when she was a Freshman.

Ruth recently gave birth to a daughter whom they named Sabrina. When Bob, Ruth and baby visited to celebrate Sabrina’s three months birth date, she became the focus of all activity, possibly a spoiled child in the making. John smiled, recalling the decision Bob and Ruth made when they finally agreed that their child would probably be safe with the older Baileys while they went for a stroll.

John, well pleased with the girl Bob chose for his wife, recognized her as intelligent, level headed, and very much in love with Bob. She dropped out of college after two years when she married Bob, who had just gotten his Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Kentucky. Her immediate interests and goals focused around making a home and starting a family, after which, she intended to go back to college and pursue her interest in social work.

John stopped at the traffic light, waited for it to turn green and then, one block farther down, turned right on the street which led to the construction company where he worked.

Ellen finished the dishes and began placing the rest of the house back in order. She sometimes felt that straightening up the house was useless. After John left for work, Tim and Mark walked down the lane to catch the school bus. Following their departure, the house gave the usual appearance of the aftermath of a half-grown tornado.

Ellen felt depressed as she went about the routine of her household tasks. The events of last night intruded upon her thoughts and left her with